Police chief's Brexit fallout warning

* North Wales Police and Crime Commissioner Arfon Jones.

Brexit will help blow a £5 million black hole in the pension pot of North Wales Police over the next two years – and could mean 133 fewer officers or a massive increase in council tax.

That's the warning from North Wales Police and Crime Commissioner Arfon Jones.

And he says there is even worse to come because of proposed changes to the police pension scheme which would see a 10 per cent hike in employer contributions.

The £1.9 million shortfall next year would rise to nearly £5.3 million a year in subsequent years, putting an even greater strain on the thin blue line.

This latest blow comes on top of cuts of over £30 million that have already been implemented by North Wales Police since 2010.

As it stands, retired officers are paid their pensions through the contributions of currently serving officers, employers’ contributions from the force and then topped up by a grant from the Home Office.

However, the Home Office is proposing to increase the employer contributions by forces – without increasing the funding to match it.

One of the main reasons for the pensions bombshell, said Mr Jones, was the uncertainty caused by Brexit and whether or not a deal could be struck.

The proposed changes are based on the pre-Brexit economic forecasts of the Office of Budget Responsibility and reflect the uncertainty prior to the Brexit vote which continues to blight the forecasts.

Across the UK the police pensions cost is set to increase by £165 million in 2019/20, before rising to £417 million, which could mean 4,000 fewer officers next year and ultimately 10,000 fewer from 2020/21.

According to Mr Jones, the proposals flew in the face of an official review of police pensions  by John Hutton, the chair of the independent Public Service Pensions Commission, which had sought to ensure employer contributions to public sector pensions were affordable.

As a result, the stark choice is to massively increase police precept by £16.92 or to drastically reduce the number officers policing North Wales.

The commissioner has now written to all North Wales MPs and AMs to flag up his concerns about the “unaffordable and unnecessary cost pressures for policing in North Wales”.

He has invited the elected representatives to a briefing by him and the new chief constable, Carl Foulkes, in January.

In the meantime, he is calling on the Government to reconsider the "potentially disastrous" pension changes.

Mr Jones said: “The current proposals are for a 9.7 per cent increase in the employers’ contribution rate, potentially increasing that rate from 24.2 per cent to 33.9 per cent.

“Police and Crime Commissioners cannot, by law, set an unbalanced budget.  This means that this money must be found from increasing council tax, drawing from reserves, or by reducing expenditure.

“In North Wales, we estimate that the cost in 2019/20 will be £1.982 million, and £5.286 million in each subsequent year.

“Reserves are a one-off resource, and while they may be used to help in the short term, to rely on these is unsustainable. Therefore, the money must come from a combination of cuts and council tax.

“We’ve already suffered years of cutbacks because of austerity and the budget for 2018/19 is £31 million lower than it would have been had funding kept pace with inflation. 

“This means that in the last eight years, £162 million less has been spent on policing North Wales than would otherwise have been the case. 

“Whilst we continue to strive to deliver further efficiencies, unexpected and unnecessary cost pressures such as this put a major strain on our limited budgets.

“Reducing the budget a further £1.982 million would be approximately equivalent to 50 police officers while £5.286 million is approximately 133 officers. 

“To reduce the workforce by such a high number would inevitably impact on workload and morale, but would also impact upon the safety of our communities across North Wales. 

“Whilst other savings are in the process of being identified, staffing costs form 80 per cent of our budget, therefore a reduction in the establishment must be considered.”

Legion group meet old soldier George on Remembrance Day

* The Royal British Legion group visit George Humphreys at the Old Vicarage. 

Royal British Legion members in Llangollen had a special Remembrance Day meeting with a veteran of the Second World War this morning (Sunday).

As the country marked the 100^th anniversary of the World War One Armistice Bethan Masceranhas, who runs the Old Vicarage nursing home, thought it would be nice to have someone from the Legion come in to meet 97-year-old resident George Humphreys who served in the army during World War Two.

And her invitation was quickly accepted by Llangollen branch chairman Phil Stroud who arranged to go along to the home before taking part in the annual Remembrance Parade in the town centre later in the morning.

He and colleagues Phil Silverton and David Thomas, who visited the First World War cemeteries back in the summer, brought along their branch standard and spent some time chatting to George before performing the Act of Remembrance for him at his bedside.

His son Phil, who lives in Llangollen, recalled that George, who is originally from Bangor of Dee, was called up for duty in 1941, joining the Royal Army Service Corps with which he served as driver/mechanic.

He took part in the Allied invasion of North Africa and Italy and fought through with the British Army’s 5 Corps all the way to Austria.

Leaving the army in 1946 he ran a coal merchants business in Bangor on Dee for over 60 years.

George was married to his wife Helen, whom he met while stationed during the war in Glasgow, in 1947 and the couple had two children, Phil and Alison, four grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren. Helen died four years ago.

For a number of years George, who moved into the Old Vicarage three years ago, was an active member of the Legion’s Bangor on Dee branch, of which he was a co-founder, and took a keen interest in the annual Poppy Appeal.

He also represented the branch on a number of occasions at the national Remembrance Service at the Cenotaph in London.  

“When contacted by Bethan at the Old Vicarage to see if someone from the branch could go along to meet George on Remembrance Day I was delighted to help and it was a pleasure to meet an old soldier such as him particularly on this very special day,” said Llangollen RBL chairman Phil Stroud.

Llangollen remembers for the first time in the new square

* Standards are lowered during the service.

Hundreds turned up to see the first Service of Remembrance being held in Llangollen's New Centenary Square this morning (Sunday).

Ex-service oganisations and a wide range of local groups assembled before the Venerable Chris Potter led the worship which this year marked 100 years since the Armistice in World War One.

The event was held against the backdrop of over 3,000 poppies, hand-made by local volunteers, which have been fixed to the rear wall of the square and will remain until the end of the year. 

Wreaths were laid, bugle calls were sounded and the traditional minute's silence was observed leading up to the chiming of 11 o'clock on the Town Hall clock.

The names of the local people who fell were read out by David Thomas of Llangollen Royal British Legion.

For the first time, poppy petals were released at the climax of the service to drift down onto the heads of those in the square.

Llangollen Silver Band then led the parade on a circuit around Castle Street and Bridge Street to end the ceremony.

* Mia Thomas of Llangollen Silver Band sounds Last Post on the bugle.

* Poppy petals flutter down over the war memorial. 

* Mayor Jon Haddy lays a wreath on behalf of the Town Council.

* Wreaths are laid on behalf of service organisations at the war memorial.

* Youth organisations honour the fallen whose names are recorded on the memorial.

* The Silver Band leads the parade away from Centenary Square.

  * Standards are paraded along Bridge Street.

* The Brownies take part in the parade.

* The Guides march down Castle Street.

Moving Festival of Remembrance staged at Town Hall

* Flags are lowered during the Act of Remembrance.

* Actress Eleri Jones comperes the event.

* Sam Jones reads the words of poet Hedd Wyn.

* A reading comes from Deputy Mayor, Cllr Issy Murray Richards.

* Llangollen Silver Band plays during the evening.

A moving Festival of Remembrance was held at the Town Hall last night (Saturday).

Llangollen Remembers, hosted by the Town Council and featuring performances by professional actors and the Silver Band, was even more poignant than usual as it marked 100 years since the end of World War One.

Opened by the Mayor, Cllr Jon Haddy, the event was compered by Eleri Jones, the actress daughter of Deputy Mayor, Cllr Issy Murray Richards.

First on the programme was a sing-along session, accompanied on the keyboard by Chris Simms, which saw the audience joining in with popular songs from the First and Second World Wars, such as It's a Long Way to Tipperary and Pack Up Your Troubles in Your Old Kit Bag.

Eleri Jones along with her colleague Sam Jones from Theatr Equapoise then presented a tribute to the Welsh poet known as Hedd Wyn who was killed in 1917 while fighting on the Western Front only weeks before winning a bardic chair.

A reading was presented by Deputy Mayor, Cllr Murray Richards, from the stage before the Silver Band, conducted by Mia Thomas, ended the first half of the programme with rousing World War One numbers such as Hello, Hello Whose Your Lady Friend and Blighty.

The second half revolved around a drumhead service, conducted by the Venerable Chris Potter, of the type often attended by troops before they went into battle.

Prayers were interspersed with hymns, including Abide With Me and Calon Lan.

The Act of Remembrance, including bugle calls and the parading of standards by members from the local branches of the Royal British Legion and Royal Naval Association, was brought to  a moving close by the symbolic release of scores blood-red poppy petals from the balcony.

Later this morning, from 10.30am, the annual Service of Remembrance will be held - against a backdrop of over 3,000 locally hand-made poppies, at the town's new Centenary Square.

Famous faces promote Christmas food campaign

Two local food groups have come together to make it easy for you to try and buy the amazing range of local produce we have on our doorstep this Christmas.

And some famous names from Llangollen are helping to promote the initiative.

Clwydian Range Food & Drink group and the Llangollen & Dee Valley Good Grub Club have organised Light Up Local Food pop-up Christmas markets across the region.

Each market has its own unique flavour, but you can expect: locally produced food & drink stalls where you can sample and buy as well as festive cookery demonstrations alongside seasonal music, carol singing, Santa, Christmas parades, craft stalls and much more.

Among those promoting the campaign from Llangollen are Pip Gale from Gales Wine Bar and Carol Allen from Llanvalley Natural. Llangollen Brewery is also a backer.

Come and meet our merry band of local producers and more at Light Up Local Food markets across North East Wales at:

1. Llangollen Christmas Festival – 24th November (1pm-5pm)
2. Mold Christmas Lights On 27th November (3pm – 7pm)
3. Denbigh Christmas Market – 30th November (12-8pm)
4. Ruthin Christmas Market – 1st Dec (10-4pm)
5. Wrexham Victorian Christmas Market – December 6th (12-8pm)

To find out more visit: http://goodgrubclub.wales/christmas/.

Funding for the project has been provided by Welsh Government, Clwydian Range & Dee Valley AONB, Denbighshire County Council, Flintshire County Council and Wrexham Borough Council.

MP pedals away on Legion's Poppy Ride

* Susan Elan Jones MP taking part in the Poppy Ride in Parliament

Clwyd South MP Susan Elan Jones has taken part in Parliament’s Poppy Ride to promote the Royal British Legion’s 2018 Poppy Appeal.

She said: “I did warn the event organisers that I wouldn’t do very well in terms of cycle speed! However, I’ve worked closely with the campaigns team of the Royal British Legion over the years so I was delighted to support the occasion.

“Right across the constituency of Clwyd South there are a huge number of events taking place to commemorate the Centenary of World War 1.

“There are extremely moving displays, events and services happening in our towns and villages with strong input from local children and young people.  As the local MP, I feel very privileged that I will join residents of four different communities at commemorative services and events.”

Prize-giving night for museum's art competition

* Adult section winner, a triptych of poppies by Jan Murray, which will be presented to the

RAFA Club.

* One of the judges, Cllr Sheena Grindley (left), discusses

the entries with adult winner Jan Murray. 

Llangollen Museum last night held the prize-giving for its annual art competition.

Entries, which came from across the age spectrum, included a variety of interpretations in different mediums on the themes of poppies, celebrating the end of World War One and celebrating life.

Judges for the competition were town councillors Sheena Grindley and Bob Lube and local artist Dory.

Organiser for the museum Janet Wakefield spoke of the high standard of entries.

Prizes were presented by Llangollen's deputy mayor, Cllr Issy Murray Richards.

Adult section winner Jan Murray has agreed to present her entry, a triptych of poppies entitled Life Returns, to the RAFA Club in Llangollen.

The exhibits will remain on display in the museum's upstairs gallery until December 3.

Below is a selection of the entries:

AM calls for veterans' contribution to be honoured

North Wales Assembly Member Mark Isherwood has called on the National Assembly for Wales to honour the contribution of those who have served and continue to serve in our Armed Forces.

Leading the Welsh Conservative Debate on Wales’ Armed Forces Communities, Mr Isherwood (pictured) said that “Remembrance could, should and does belong to all of us - whatever our politics, ethnicity or faith”.   

He also spoke of his concern about the delivery of the Armed Forces Covenant in Wales, highlighting the "inconsistencies veterans and their families have faced when accessing health care".

Speaking in the Chamber, Mr Isherwood raised these concerns when responding to a statement by the Cabinet Secretary for Local Government and Public Services.

He said: “The Armed Forces Covenant states that no-one who has served in the Armed Forces should face disadvantage and, in specific circumstances, can expect special consideration in regard to their NHS Care.

"Despite this, however, veterans and their families have faced inconsistencies when accessing health care in Wales, with the third and charitable sectors often having to deliver the specialist and rehabilitation services.  

“Only Abertawe Bro Morganwg [health board] has a dedicated budget for veterans. In the last three financial years £242,000 has been allocated there, but the six remaining health boards only use core allocations to fund veterans' needs.  

“Only Aneurin Bevan, Cardiff and Vale, Powys and Hywel Dda Health Boards have adopted the Welsh Government 2017 Guidance in full – and, worryingly, Betsi Cadwaladr stated that it was only adhering to Welsh Government guidance published in 2008, three years before the Covenant was published."

He added: “Endorsed by the Armed Forces Community and Armed  Services heads, the review by the Cross Party Group on Armed Forces and Cadets found that in order to uphold the Covenant, the Welsh Government should consider the appointment of an Armed  Forces Commissioner for Wales to improve the accountability of public sector  organisations for the delivery of the Armed Forces Covenant."
Mr Isherwood also referred to “Change Step”, a support and peer-mentoring service provided by veterans for veterans seeking help for mental health, loneliness or addiction problems, led by North Wales based Charity CAIS, and the challenges it faces because of its reliance on bid funding.       

Stressing that housing is key to veterans and their families, Mr Isherwood referred to the ambitious self-build project for veterans in  Wrexham, the third residence in North Wales to be managed by Wales Homes for Veterans.

Dental watchdog slams Llan registration queues

* People queue to sign up with the new dentists in Llangollen last week.

The Daily Post reports today that the British Dental Association says long queues to register for an NHS dentists like the ones seen in Llangollen last week shouldn't become the norm.

For the full story, see: https://www.dailypost.co.uk/news/north-wales-news/dont-five-hour-queues-dentists-15377911

Bells will ring out to commemorate loss then peace

Ringing Remembers is the name of the campaign by bell ringers throughout Britain to commemorate the centenary of the end of the First World War. 

In Llangollen, as elsewhere, the bells will be rung half-muffled before the Act of Remembrance at the Cenotaph on Sunday, in memory of all those who lost their lives as a result of the war. 

Then at 12.30 the bells will ring out without the muffles to celebrate the peace. 

On the 11th November 1918 bells were rung spontaneously throughout the country as part of a huge outpouring of relief that took place as news of the Armistice spread.

Sion Corn tries the train for a rapid Christmas Festival arrival

* Sion Corn on the footplate of Llangollen

Railway’s steam engine number 3802 as it pulls out of the station. 

Sion Corn has been looking for the fastest way he can reach Llangollen to star in the town’s famous Christmas Festival at the end of November.

The town is famed for celebrating various modes of transport like river, road, canal and steam train.

So the grand old man – he’s known as Santa Claus in English – has been giving them all a try to see which will get him there as quickly as possible so he can spend more time joining in the fun with the thousands of seasonal merrymakers who are expected to come flocking in to the big event on the afternoon of Saturday November 24.  

Latest to be given the Sion Corn transport test was a steam train operated by Llangollen Railway and used more usually to provide visitors with memorable trips through the stunning scenery of the Dee Valley from Llangollen all the way to Corwen.

By special permission Sion Corn jumped the footplate and was hauled along on a test journey.

At the end of his short excursion he pronounced himself well satisfied with his trip aboard the gleaming engine number  3802.

He said: “Many people reckon a steam train is the only way to travel and I agree with them.

“There’s nothing like the wind in your beard as your rattling along hauled by a piece of living history.

“It’s a definite possibility for getting me to the fete in plenty of time.”

Thousands of seasonal revellers are expected to come flocking to Llangollen for the Christmas Festival on Saturday November 24.

Kicking off at 1pm with the famous parade which sees Sion Corn being escorted into town over the historic bridge by a colourful cavalcade of entertainers and local groups, the event features children’s fairground rides and games, circus acts, a magician, dancing and face painting.

There will also be a chance for youngsters to visit Sion Corn in his glorious grotto and put in their early requests for what they’d like to see him bring them on Christmas morning. 

During the afternoon visitors can look forward to an eclectic mix of musical entertainment from local groups on two outdoor stages and other on-street entertainment.

The fun-packed day rounds off at 5pm with the ceremonial switching on of Llangollen’s legendary Christmas lights and a firework extravaganza. 

Llangollen Christmas Festival is organised by a group of dedicated community volunteers. It costs over £4,000 to stage each year and is self-funding.

The festival aims to provide a free family-orientated event in the safety of the town centre with surplus funds being donated to Wales Air Ambulance and local community groups.

Over the last couple of years the police have estimated that the spectacular event draws over 2,000 people into town during the course of the afternoon.

For the second year the festival has teamed up with Light Up Local Food, a project aimed at promoting Llangollen-based food and drink producers.

Chairman of the festival committee Austin ‘Chem’ Cheminais, who is also the local town crier and a member of the town council, said: “With the help of the community we manage, each year, to raise just about enough to fund the event and give a little to charity.

“Last year’s festival was particularly successful, in spite of the weather, and the feedback from those attending was very positive.

“The ‘market’ feel to the event provided by Light UP Local Food was particularly commented upon and helped to attract visitors from much further afield.

“Once again we’re expecting a bumper crowd to come along and help us to give a great early start to Christmas.”

Railway operates to Dwyrain Corwen East for last time

 * Final departure from Corwen East for locomotive 3802.

* The bilingual station name, the locomotive 3802 with commemorative decoration.

The final train of the 2018 season from Llangollen to Corwen departed last Sunday at 1510 with the locomotive No.3802 bedecked with a special train headboard.

As the last public service train to serve the temporary platform at Dwyrain Corwen East, a commemorative bilingual head board was provided with Welsh flags to mark the end of four years of successful operations to what has been the Phase 1 station of the Corwen extension project.

Fittingly, Number 3802 performed the honours, as it did with the first train on 22 October 2014 - even the same three Welsh flags were re-used and Harry Barber was the same driver. 

This time the train was not topped and tailed with a second locomotive as in 2014 and 3802 alone performed the final propelling move back to Carrog with a select passenger complement of members and others on board to mark the end of an era. 

A fortunate spell of blue sky for the 1540 arrival brightened the occasion when station staff were on hand with others to mark the occasion. 

Their next task will be to start to dismantle the station facilities and prepare for a move to the new terminal station building which is in course of refurbishment alongside the town carpark. 

The next train to Corwen will terminate at the Phase 2 station which is now under construction alongside the town's car park and will provide direct access from and to the town centre from a date to be announced in 2019.

Stationmaster Wayne Ronneback said: "Although provided as a temporary measure in 2014, the platform has been successful in introducing passengers to the western end of the line and has attracted a growing number of passengers to start their journey through the Dee Valley from Corwen.

"This was necessary whilst the project team tackled the immense task of building the Phase 2 station with a loop line to allow the train to terminate and for the locomotive to run round at the island platform in preparation for the return journey. 

"As of a date to be announced in 2019,  visitors will be able to travel from and to the centre of Corwen where the train will stop over for a 20 minute interval. We expect the new arrangements to attract more visitors from a wider segment of the North Wales tourism market to come for the journey on the only standard gauge heritage railway in North Wales.

"For the winter season of Santa Trains and Mince Pie Specials trains will terminate at Carrog."

Centenary Square lit up for the first time

For the first time since it was opened back in July the town's new Centenary Square is lit up this evening.

The square will be at the centre of the Service of Remembrance this Sunday morning marking the 100th anniversary of the end of World War One.

The back wall of the square is entirely filled with over 3,000 poppies hand made by an small army of local volunteers.

Museum art exhibition special event

Llangollen Museum will host the launch and prizegiving for its art competition on Wednesday November 7 at 6.30pm.

The museum also has open a Book of  Remembrance to honour those who played a part in the First World War.

The museum's is now on winter opening hours, from 10am-4pm, and continues to be open seven days a week.